RELEGATED Bolton Wanderers have made significant cuts to their first team backroom staff, with the possibility of more to follow.

Faced with a loss of more than £5 million in revenue after dropping into League One for the first time in 23 years, the club’s owners informed a number of coaching and medical personnel their services would no longer be required at the end of last week.

It is believed Under-21 coach Iain Brunskill, head of sports science Mark Leather, goalkeeping coach Bobby Mimms, fitness coach Chris Short and sports rehabilitator Dave Dean are among those affected.

Wanderers have declined to comment but say a statement will be issued in due course.

The club announced on Thursday last week it had entered into a consultation process with a view to restructuring its football operation and staff.

Meetings took place before the staff travelled to London for the game against Fulham, which ended in a 1-0 defeat.

One member of staff, who asked not to be named, said: “About 10 or 11 of the backroom staff were called in individually on Thursday and told they were no longer needed anymore, and the club expected them to go on the bus to the Fulham game.

“I think it’s absolutely disgraceful way to treat people who have given such loyal service.

“They weren’t even thanked for their work.

“The backroom staff don’t earn anywhere near what the players earn – they have mortgages to pay, families and children and will have to look for new jobs.”

Wanderers are currently without a manager and interim boss Jimmy Phillips confirmed after the Fulham game that he, football advisor Peter Reid and coach Nicky Spooner would be stepping down from their role with the first team having completed the nine games they were asked to cover.

Though some of the staff are expected to serve out a notice period of up to six months, the cuts cast doubt on preparations for next season, which kicks-off on August 6.

Phillips, the academy manager, also voiced concern after the Fulham game the redundancies could spread to the academy at Lostock – which provided the schooling for first team stars such as Rob Holding, Zach Clough and Josh Vela.

“They haven’t affected us yet,” he said. “But once they have sorted out the first team structure you would think they would move on to the academy.”

Darren Pratley, the first team captain, summed up the mood in the camp by saying the redundancies were like “losing family”.

“There is a great relationship here, these are people you see every day and they are like family,” he said.

“It is very tough on them. It’s their livelihoods. But they have stayed so professional.”

n Page 38: Cuts could hit Whites' production line success